Manchester paid its respects to Marc-Vivien Foe in a moving tribute at the city’s cathedral on Wednesday evening. A packed congregation included City boss Kevin Keegan, most of Foe’s former team-mates, plus club chairman John Wardle and his board of directors.
They heard Reverend Canon Paul Denby describe Foe as a ‘smiley man’ whose death last month at the age of 28 has shocked the football world.
A picture of the Cameroon midfielder was placed in front of the alter and eight-year-old fan Stevie Hampson of Longsight paraded Foe’s number 23 shirt which has now been retired by the club as a mark of respect.
Wardle said Foe – who collapsed and died while playing for his country during their Confederations Cup semi-final against Columbia in Lyon last month – would never be forgotten by City or the wider football world.
Foe, who left a wife and three children, is to be honoured by City at their new Eastlands home and it is likely a match between City and another of his former clubs, West Ham, will be played in aid of his development work in Cameroon some time in September.
Wardle said: ‘We will miss that smile and we will always remember him not just as a player but also as a friend. It was a great privilege to have known him.’
